Furniture including a slidable display stand for concealing a television

ABSTRACT

Furniture, namely a footboard for a bed, including a means for concealing a display stand and an object affixed thereto, such as a television. The footboard includes a stationary frame and a slidable frame that is affixed to the display stand and vertically slides with respect to the stationary frame. The footboard conceals the display stand when in a descended position. When a user lifts the display stand to an ascended position, the display stand and the television are substantially exposed for viewing. Controlled sliding with the appropriate tension is provided by use of a counterbalance system in combination with a sliding track system.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/643,507, filed May 7, 2012, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/194,221, filed Jul. 29, 2011, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/369,217 filed Jul. 30, 2010, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention is directed towards an economical and aesthetically pleasing means for slidably concealing a flat screen television display stand within an item of furniture, such as a bed footboard.

One prior art attempt at concealing a television within an item of furniture has included an electrically motorized lift for vertically lifting and descending the television display stand from a dresser or footboard, which can be very expensive and difficult to manufacture and maintain. Additionally, such motorized lifts typically add a substantial amount of weight (about 50 to 60 lbs) to the furniture and require the addition of an electrical surge protector.

The present invention overcomes the noted deficiencies in the prior art by slidably concealing a television display stand in an item of furniture, such as the footboard of a bed or a console unit, such that the display stand may be mechanically lifted from within the item of furniture to expose the corresponding television.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An article of furniture including a substantially hollow cavity that defines a housing, and a slidable frame disposed within the housing for facilitating (i) concealing an object associated with the slidable frame within the housing and (ii) exposing the object outside the housing, wherein the slidable frame vertically slides with respect to a stationary frame between a descended position and an ascended position, wherein when the slidable frame is in the descended position, the object is substantially concealed within the housing, and wherein when the slidable frame is in the ascended position, the object is substantially exposed outside the housing. In an embodiment of the present invention, the object is a television.

The slidable frame vertically slides between the descended position and the ascended position upon physical manipulation by a user. At least one sliding track system is affixed to the slidable frame and the stationary frame to facilitate the slidable frame sliding between the descended position and the ascended position. The sliding track system may be a telescoping slide system or non-telescoping slide system, such as a telescoping ball bearing slide system or a linear motion slide system.

The furniture also includes a counterbalance system that facilitates controlled sliding of the slidable frame between the descended position and the ascended position. The counterbalance system may comprise a weight and pulley system, a spiral balance torsion spring system, a block and tackle system, or a constant force coil spring system.

The furniture may include a lid that is configured for removably closing a top of the housing. The furniture may also include a display stand that is integrated with or affixed to the slidable frame, the display stand being configured for attachment to the object to facilitate movement of the object.

In additional embodiments of the present invention, the stationary frame is formed by inner walls of the housing, the furniture is a bed, and/or the furniture is a footboard for a bed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the front of a bed footboard with a display stand in a descended position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the front of the bed footboard of FIG. 1 with the display stand in an ascended position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the rear interior of a bed footboard with a display stand in a descended position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the rear interior of the bed footboard of FIG. 3 with the display stand in an ascended position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the rear interior of a bed footboard with a display stand in a descended position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5B is an exploded view of a counterbalance system used in connection with the bed footboard of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the rear interior of the bed footboard of FIG. 5A with the display stand in an ascended position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the rear interior of a bed footboard with a display stand in a descended position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is an exploded view of a counterbalance system used in connection with the bed footboard of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the rear interior of the bed footboard of FIG. 7A with the display stand in an ascended position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the rear interior of a bed footboard with a display stand in a descended position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the rear interior of the bed footboard of FIG. 9 with the display stand in an ascended position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the front of a console with a display stand in an ascended position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed towards an item of furniture wherein a television or other object to be displayed is slidably concealed within an item of furniture, such as the footboard of a bed or a console unit.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the footboard 10 of a bed 20 is configured to be substantially hollow to enable a display stand 40 (shown in FIG. 3) and a television 30 affixed thereto to be fully concealed within the footboard 10 when the display stand 40 is in a fully descended position. The display stand 40 is configured to vertically slide between the fully descended position shown in FIG. 1 and a fully ascended position as shown in FIG. 2. When the display stand 40 is in the fully ascended position as shown in FIG. 2, the television 30 attached to the display stand 40 is exposed and available for viewing.

As shown in FIGS. 3-4, the footboard 10 comprises an outer stationary frame 50 and a vertically slidable inner frame 60 that is disposed within the outer frame 50 and is affixed to or integrally formed with the display stand 40. It is noted that the outer frame 50 may simply be the interior walls or molding of the footboard 10 case piece itself.

In an embodiment of the invention, the inner frame 60 is affixed to the outer frame 50 with a pair of known sliding track systems 70 on each side to permit the inner frame 60 to vertically and smoothly slide with respect to the stationary outer frame 50. Particularly, a fixed member of each sliding track system 70 is affixed to each end of the outer frame 50 or the inner frame 60. The corresponding sliding member of each sliding track system 70 is affixed to the other of the outer frame 50 or inner frame 60. Each sliding track system 70 may comprise a known telescoping track or non-telescoping track, and may be formed of any suitable material capable of withholding the weight of the inner frame 50 and corresponding television 30. An exemplary full extension ball bearing (telescoping) slide system 70 is shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5A, and 6. An exemplary linear motion (non-telescoping) slide system 70 is shown in FIGS. 7A, 8, 9, and 10. While FIGS. 3, 4, 5A, 6, 7A, and 8 depict the sliding tracks 70 being affixed to the rear of the inner and outer frames 60, 50, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to such exact placement. Rather, the sliding track systems 70 could also be affixed to the front of the inner and outer frames 60, 50, or on the ends of the frames as shown in FIGS. 9-10.

Referring again to FIG. 1, when the user desires the television 30 to be fully concealed within the footboard 10, the display stand 40 is fully descended into the footboard 10. The footboard 10 may include a lid 80 and apron 90 that covers the opening at the top of the footboard 10. When the user desires to expose the television 30, the user simply lifts the lid 80 and folds back the apron 90 to reveal the opening to the hollow interior of the footboard 10. The user then reaches into the interior of the footboard 10 to grab the (optional) handle 110 that is affixed to the inner frame 60 to lift the inner frame 60 (as well as the display stand 40 and the television 30 attached thereto) to the fully ascended position so the television 30 is fully exposed for viewing. When the user desires to return the television 30 to the fully concealed position, he or she simply uses the handle 110 to push the inner frame 60 back down into the interior of the footboard 10. The user can then close the opening to the interior of the footboard 10 by placing the lid 80 and apron 90 back down, as shown in FIG. 1.

It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to use of a display stand 40 as particularly shown in the Figures for attachment to the television 30 or other object to be displayed. Rather, the television 30 or other object may be attached to the inner frame 60 without the use of the particular display stand 40 shown in the Figures. For example, the television 30 or other object may simply rest on or be attached to a platform formed by the top of the inner frame 60. One manner of securing the television 30 could be to affix the television 30 to the handle 110 that is affixed to the inner frame 60.

The inner frame 60 that supports the display stand 40 is configured to slidably ascend and descend with respect to the stationary outer frame 50 with enough tension that prevents the inner frame 60 from forcefully transitioning from one position to the other, yet light enough tension that the inner frame 60 is easily manipulatable by the user when he or she uses his or her hand to lightly pull the inner frame 60 up or push it back down. This appropriate amount of tension is achieved by use of a known counterbalance (or sometimes called counterweight) system wherein the combined weight of the slidable inner frame 60 and television 30 is countered with the weight provided by the counterbalance system. In its simplest form, a counterbalance system incorporates forces or weights that act to balance one another. Some known counterbalance systems include: (1) spiral balance torsion springs; (2) counterbalancing weights used in connection with cables and pulleys; (3) block and tackle balances; and (4) constant force coil springs. It should be noted that any appropriate counterbalance system may be incorporated into the present invention for the purpose of providing the appropriate amount of tension for the inner frame 60 to slidably ascend and descend with respect to the stationary outer frame 50 of the footboard 10. The present invention is not limited to use of the counterbalance systems expressly disclosed herein.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-4, spiral balance torsion spring counterbalance systems are used to facilitate controlled, vertical sliding of the inner frame 60. Known spiral balance systems include a tube 321 and corresponding spiral rod 323. When used in the present invention, either the tube 321 or spiral rod 323 is affixed to the slidable inner frame 60 and the other of the corresponding tube 321 or spiral rod 323 is affixed to the stationary outer frame 50. In the example shown in FIGS. 3-4, the tube 321 is affixed to the outer frame 50 and the corresponding rod 323 is affixed to the inner frame 60.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 6, block and tackle counterbalance systems are used to provide controlled, vertical sliding of the inner frame 60. As shown in FIG. 5B, known block and tackle counterbalance systems include a cable 625 that is connected to a hook 623 and a corresponding traveling block 621. Either the hook 623 or traveling block 621 is affixed to the inner frame 60 and the other of the corresponding hook 623 or traveling block 621 is affixed to the stationary outer frame 50. In the example shown in FIGS. 5A and 6, the traveling block 621 affixed to the inner frame 60 and the corresponding hook 623 is affixed to the outer frame 50.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 8, a constant force coil spring counterbalance system is used to provide controlled, vertical sliding of the inner frame 60. As shown in FIG. 7B, known constant force coil spring systems include a tape 721 and corresponding coil 723. Either the tape 721 or the coil 723 is affixed to the inner frame 60 and the other of the corresponding tape 721 or coil 723 is affixed to the outer frame 50. In the example shown in FIGS. 7A and 8, the tape 721 affixed to the inner frame 60 and the corresponding coil 723 is affixed to the outer frame 50.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9-10, a pulley and weight counterbalance system is used to provide controlled, vertical sliding of the inner frame 60. Known pulley and weight counterbalance systems comprise a cable 925, at least one pulley 921, and weights 923. As shown in FIGS. 9-10, the cable 925 is attached to the inner frame 60 and is run over a system of pulleys 921 that are affixed to the stationary outer frame 50 such that the weights 923 counterbalance with the weight of the inner frame 60, the display stand 40, and the television 30 to provide controlled sliding of the inner frame 60 between its ascended and descended positions.

The display stand 40 of the present invention is configured to accommodate varying sizes of televisions having varying weights. Thus, the counterbalance system for the display stand 40 may be adjusted depending on the weight of the television 30 affixed to the inner frame 60. For example, if the combined weight of the television 30, display stand 40, and inner frame 60 is lighter than the counterweight of the counterbalance system, weights 140 can be added to dowels 142 affixed to the inner frame 60, as shown in FIGS. 3-4, including an exploded view in FIG. 4. In the case of a spiral balance torsion spring system, as shown in FIGS. 3-4, the tube 321 for the counterbalance can be turned in a clockwise direction to create more tension to compensate for a heavier weight television 30, and the tube 321 can be turned in a counterclockwise direction to ease tensions to compensate for a lower weight television 30, as shown in the exploded view in FIG. 4.

It is noted that in the embodiments of the present invention described above, the portions of the counterbalance system that are affixed to the inner frame 60 and outer frame 50 are not limited to specific locations on such frames. The optimal position for the counterbalance system may depend, for example, on which type of counterbalance system is being used. Thus, the counterbalance system could be affixed to the front, rear, or ends of the inner frame 60 and outer frame 50.

In the furniture manufacturing industry, it may be desirable to manufacture beds with a traditional footboard that can be optionally connected to a separate module, such as a console unit 150 that houses the display stand 40 and corresponding television 30. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, a console 150 can be separately manufactured in a similar style and finish of certain bed styles such that the console 150 appears to be part of the same furniture grouping. The console 150 may be hollow to house the display stand 40 with the television 30 in the same manner as described above with respect to the footboard 10 (including the lid 80, apron 90, stationary outer frame 50, slidable inner frame 60, and counterbalance system). If a user opts to purchase the separate console 150, it may be attached to a traditional footboard by use of known clamps or brackets 170, as shown in FIG. 11.

Based on the foregoing, the present invention provides an item of furniture, such as a bed footboard or console unit, that may be economically manufactured and used for concealing and revealing on object, such as a television. Controlled, vertical sliding is provided by use of a counterbalance system in combination with a sliding track system that enables an inner frame supporting the television to ascend and descend with enough tension to provide controlled sliding yet light enough tension that the inner frame is easily moved by the user with hand manipulation. It is noted that the present invention is not limited to the display stand holding a television. Rather, it could also be used to hold other items such as artwork.

Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the forgoing description. All such modifications and improvements of the present invention have been deleted herein for the sake of conciseness and readability. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An article of furniture comprising: a substantially hollow cavity that defines a housing; and a slidable frame disposed within the housing for facilitating (i) concealing an object associated with the slidable frame within the housing and (ii) exposing the object outside the housing; wherein the slidable frame vertically slides with respect to a stationary frame between a descended position and an ascended position; wherein when the slidable frame is in the descended position, the object is substantially concealed within the housing; and wherein when the slidable frame is in the ascended position, the object is substantially exposed outside the housing.
 2. The furniture of claim 1 wherein the object is a television.
 3. The furniture of claim 1 wherein the slidable frame vertically slides between the descended position and the ascended position upon physical manipulation by a user.
 4. The furniture of claim 3 wherein the slidable frame comprises a handle for facilitating the physical manipulation by the user.
 5. The furniture of claim 1 further comprising at least one sliding track system that is affixed to the slidable frame and the stationary frame to facilitate the slidable frame sliding between the descended position and the ascended position.
 6. The furniture of claim 5 wherein the sliding track system is selected from the group consisting of a telescoping slide system and non-telescoping slide system.
 7. The furniture of claim 5 wherein the sliding track system is selected from the group consisting of a telescoping ball bearing slide system and a linear motion slide system.
 8. The furniture of claim 1 further comprising a counterbalance system that facilitates controlled sliding of the slidable frame between the descended position and the ascended position.
 9. The furniture of claim 8 wherein the counterbalance system comprises at least one weight, at least one cable, and at least one pulley.
 10. The furniture of claim 9 wherein: the weight counterbalances the weight of the slidable frame; the pulley is affixed to the stationary frame; and the cable is affixed to the weight and the slidable frame.
 11. The furniture of claim 9 wherein the counterbalance system comprises a spiral balance torsion spring system.
 12. The furniture of claim 11 wherein the spiral balance torsion spring system comprises at least one tube and at least one spiral rod.
 13. The furniture of claim 12 wherein: the tube is affixed to either the stationary frame or the slidable frame; and the rod is affixed to the other of the stationary frame or the slidable frame.
 14. The furniture of claim 9 wherein the counterbalance system is a block and tackle counterbalance system.
 15. The furniture of claim 14 wherein the block and tackle counterbalance system comprises at least one hook, at least one cable, and at least one traveling block.
 16. The furniture of claim 15 wherein: the hook is affixed to either the stationary frame or the slidable frame; the traveling block is affixed to the other of the stationary frame or the slidable frame; and the cable is affixed to the hook and the traveling block.
 17. The furniture of claim 9 wherein the counterbalance system is a constant force coil spring system.
 18. The furniture of claim 17 wherein the constant force coil spring system comprises at least one coil and at least one tape.
 19. The furniture of claim 18 wherein: the coil is affixed to either the stationary frame or the slidable frame; and the tape is affixed to the other of the stationary frame or the slidable frame.
 20. The furniture of claim 1 further comprising a lid that is configured for removably closing a top of the housing.
 21. The furniture of claim 1 further comprising a display stand that is integrated with or affixed to the slidable frame, the display stand being configured for attachment to the object to facilitate movement of the object.
 22. The furniture of claim 1 wherein the stationary frame is formed by inner walls of the housing.
 23. The furniture of claim 1 wherein the furniture is a bed.
 24. The furniture of claim 1 wherein the furniture is a footboard for a bed.
 25. The footboard of claim 1 wherein the furniture is a stand-alone console that is configured for attachment to a bed with brackets.
 26. A footboard comprising: a substantially hollow cavity that defines a housing; a slidable frame disposed within the housing that is configured to mechanically and vertically slide with respect to a stationary frame; a display stand that is integrated with or affixed to the slidable frame and is configured to vertically slide between a descended position and an ascended position; and a counterbalance system that facilitates controlled sliding of the display stand between the ascended position and the descended position; wherein when the display stand is in the descended position, the display stand is substantially concealed within the housing; and wherein when the display stand is in the ascended position, the display stand is substantially exposed.
 27. The furniture of claim 26 wherein the counterbalance system is selected from the group consisting of a counterbalancing weight and pulley system, a spiral balance torsion spring system, a block and tackle system, and a constant force coil spring system.
 28. A footboard for a bed comprising: a substantially hollow cavity that defines a housing; a slidable frame disposed within the housing that is configured to vertically slide with respect to a stationary frame; and a display stand that is affixed to the slidable frame and vertically slides between a descended position in the housing and an ascended position that is ascended above the housing; wherein when the display stand is in the descended position, the display stand is substantially concealed within the housing; and wherein when the display stand is in the ascended position, the display stand is substantially exposed. 